Cindy Rice, RS, CPFS, MSPH is the owner and founder of Eastern Food Safety, and is here to answer all of your food safety questions. Submit your question here!

Tag Archives: wrapping foods

Q: If I wrap a food, like a leftover turkey sandwich, in air tight plastic wrap, can I keep that food out overnight on the counter?

A: It’s not the air that is the risk to foods being left out overnight, but warm air temperatures (between 41°F and 135° F) that can allow dangerous bacteria in these foods to grow. The protein (turkey) in your sandwich is potentially hazardous- your sandwich should be wrapped to protect it from outside bacteria, but also refrigerated to prevent excessive bacterial growth overnight.